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Tears filled her eyes as she stared at me.
“Archer…” she whispered as if she couldn’t believe I was here.
“Hey, Mum.” My throat burned as I tried to force down the emotion bubbling in my chest.
“Wow, you got so big. And so handsome,” she said, as a smile spread across her face.
I nodded.
“Have you got time to come and sit with me? Tell me what you’ve been up to.”
A tear rolled down my cheek. “I have time.”
She patted the bed next to her, and I crawled into the space, as my mum wrapped her arm around me and pressed a kiss to my cheek.
“It’s been such a long time, Archer. Tell me everything.”
Ionee
Icarriedourcoffeesback to his mum’s room, Sophia and Laura following behind. As we neared, I could hear voices. Presuming it was the doctor, I moved to the side to let his sisters go first, but as Laura stepped forward, she let out a small cry before flinging out her arm to stop us. Holding her finger to her lips, she pointed into the room. When I twisted to see what was going on, my eyes landed on Archer in bed next to his mum, curled up on his side while she was awake, talking to him.
“I’m so proud of you, Archer. I don’t know if I ever told you. I’m not sure I told you enough. Things are… foggy. I hope I did a good job as your mum.”
“You did, Mum. I promise.”
“I did so many things wrong. When your dad left… the things I said. You weren’t responsible for me or your sisters. I hope you know that.”
“You’re my family. Of course I’d take care of you all.”
She let out a sob. “You did, didn’t you? You gave up everything for us. I’m so sorry, baby. I’m sorry I did that to you.”
“You did nothing. You were ill.”
“And you were a kid. I should have done better. Archer, can you forgive me?”
“Mum, there is nothing to forgive.”
“But can you? Can you forgive me?”
“I forgive you, Mum.”
“Thank you.”
He kissed her forehead.
“And how have you been? You and the girls.”
“We’re all good, Mum. The girls are amazing. You’d be so proud of them.”
Sophia let out a soft sob, and I pulled her to me, wrapping my arm around her.
“And have you got a girl? Someone special?”
He didn’t even pause before he answered. “I have, Mum. I have a girl who makes me smile. She takes care of me. You’d really like her.”
“I’m so glad. You deserve all the love in the world.” She paused for a moment before she pressed a kiss to Archer’s cheek. “Archer, I love you so much. I hope you know that. I hope you remember that.”
I watched as her body language changed and she stiffened. Archer must have noticed too as he pushed himself from the bed, standing tall, shaking his head, whispering something I couldn’t hear. He stepped back, running his fingers through his hair before his legs gave way, and he collapsed to the floor, sobbing loudly.
